Toy Soldier Realism (1 Viewer)

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katana

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kingtigercrew.jpgtunisiantiger1.jpg

The attached photos show WWII Panzers and the size relationship of the crews. The Tiger I is the captured Tunisian Tiger I. The King Tiger is of particular interest as it shows crew on the ground and on the deck. The large size in relation to the crew is interesting. Often Toy Soldiers are too large in regard to the vehicle to be realistic. A change has happened over the last few years and the size of vehicles has increased in proportion to the figures, resulting in more realism. The change started with Honor Bound's superb Panther A. TCS made a large Stug III to match the size of its figures and K&C introduced the Tunisian Tiger I; the first of a continuing line of 1/30 scale vehicles. A more recent company First Legion has greatly increased the realism of WWII Toy Soldiers by producing all figures and vehicles to the same size.

Question: Which company do you think makes the most realistic combination of WWII figures and vehicles?
 
I personally am not going to single out one company as being the best over another. That being said companies like Collector's Showcase, Britains, First legion, King&Country, Thomas Gunn,
are still up and running strong because their customer base like and believe in their products.This thread getting shut down down due to arguing and disagreements is just a stones throw away !

Wayne
 
I think they all make good products; just not consistantly. I also think people can venture an opinion without the discussion devolving into rancor. I like Honor Bound and Figarti Panthers. The TCS's last Panther has issues. I like TCs Jagdpanther because no other has an opening rear hatch.
Each manufacturer has their strong points and weak points. Discussing them in an open forum could prompt improvements.
 
PanzerAce1944 said:
I personally am not going to single out one company as being the best over another. That being said companies like Collector's Showcase, Britains, First legion, King&Country, Thomas Gunn,
are still up and running strong because their customer base like and believe in their products.This thread getting shut down down due to arguing and disagreements is just a stones throw away !

Wayne
Click to expand...

Why would it be needed to be shut down??? everyone has there favorites and for various reasons, like Hunter I choose to think First Legion has the closest to realism out there (excluding the high end Russian artists) and as in all things people choose their likes and dislikes whether it be ball clubs/foods/cars, right down to their socks and draws, so be it, it's all based on opinion of individuals, guys who think K&C are top dog, or Figarti, CS etc. all good in my book, diversity helps make the world go round and to each their own I say...Sammy
 
katana said:
Question: Which company do you think makes the most realistic combination of WWII figures and vehicles?
Click to expand...

IMO, it would help to define what you mean by realism.:)

The example of Russian TS has already been mentioned. To my mind, simply applying additional paint detail or shading to a figure doesn't make it appear more realistic. I can look at such a figure and think to myself, "wow, what beautiful paint work." However, that doesn't necessarily mean that I'm going to be thinking, "wow, how marvelously lifelike."

IMO, for something to be characterized as realistic, it has to give the illusion of being real. It doesn't matter how pretty that it is, or how much that it costs. When viewed alone or in a scene, it has to impart with the viewer a possibility of being human. Failing that, it's just a fancy and/or expensive "what not."

The above comments made, a lot of high-end Russian sets remind me of some of the porcelain figures and dolls that my maternal grandmother collected. They were beautiful and exhibited tremendous craftsmanship, but no one was going to mistake them for real people, either.

-Moe
 
I use the term realism in the technical sense. Like a prebuilt and painted scale model by a master modeler. The prices are equivalent to Toy Soldiers; but the accuracy is not in some instances. Accuracy to me is an important part of realism; historical accuracy and technical accuracy. I buy a Jagdpanther for my collection for example and something is wrong with the model; but it is subtle and I cannot figure out what it is. I Google up images of Jagdpanthers and study them and finally it clicks, as to what the problem is; the roof is flat not sloped! One manufacturer made a beautiful Jagdpanther with this problem. A technical inaccuracy. Presenting a Tiger I with steel wheels as Wittmann's last Tiger is an Historical inaccuracy. The Toy Soldier hobby is full of these kinds of issues and some manufacturers do a much better job than other of avoiding major errors in their products. Minor issues of realism are paint color, lack of weathering, figure proportions etc.
 
sammy719 said:
Why would it be needed to be shut down??? everyone has there favorites and for various reasons, like Hunter I choose to think First Legion has the closest to realism out there (excluding the high end Russian artists) and as in all things people choose their likes and dislikes whether it be ball clubs/foods/cars, right down to their socks and draws, so be it, it's all based on opinion of individuals, guys who think K&C are top dog, or Figarti, CS etc. all good in my book, diversity helps make the world go round and to each their own I say...Sammy
Click to expand...

Sammy, As grown men start arguing about their favorite Toy Soldier companies.....forum history has shown how talks about companies get out of control.
If not all the better !

Wayne
 
Price for figures have increased from $35 to $49 in the last few years. Toy Soldier manufacturers have to offer something to their customers to justify these increases. Better quality and more realistc figures would seem to me to be a good way to go. Improvements in quality are always a good thing for both manufacturer and customer; fewer returns equals more profit and happy customers. Realistic figures, weaons and vehicles in an age of digital photography enabeling the shareing of displays and dioramas would be another return for increased price. Simple things can make a big difference. The TG Hetzer is a very nice model; but it could have been a lot better. A hatch to place a figure, a better scaled MG-42. The shrinking number of figures with a Panzer or Tank is an issue, first it was four, than three, than two or one. Figarti and TG went to none! How much can a half figure cost to make, especially if it increases sales. A lot of collectors buy vehicles to display figures. Also the figures have to be as good as the armor and the armor as good as the figures; a lesson Figarti learned the hard way and TG is in the process learning.
 
Jupiter Optimus Maximus (Best and Greatest,) protect this (First) Legion, collectors all! May its acts of realism bring knowledge and understanding to all!

Paraphrased the Legionary Prayer as reported by Caesar:

Jupiter Optimus Maximus protect this legion, soldiers all! May my acts bring luck to us all.
 
Probably before then!

These kinds of discussions have been going on since this place was founded. The only thing that's changed are the combatants, umm, I mean the participants, who probably didn't know about the earlier battles. All in all, this one is relatively tame so far.

Brad
 
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Brad; I think that realism is less subjective an attribute than quality or scale and less likely to foster arguments. A figure is either realistic or is unrealistic. Glossy figures are collected by many people; but I do not believe anyone would call them realistc. Artistic yes, realistic not so much! Figures with ovesize weapons may have a certain charm; but they are not realistic. Realism is replication of reality. Toy Soldiers are reality in miniature. Collectors who have entered Toy Soldier collecting via model making, as have I seek the same level of accuracy and realism that is found in 1/35 scale models. Figarti stipulated that they made Military Miniatures rather than Toy Soldiers and that they aspired to accuracy and realism equivalent to 1/35 scale models. Figarti armor is highly regarded for their accuracy; both historical and technical. I consider their Panther G to be their best piece of armor and most realistic!
 
Sorry but I've seen these points before; they are nothing.

People have their favorites and they will make their points from that perspective; we've already seen that on this thread.

There is no such thing as an innocent question here.
 
katana said:
Brad; I think that realism is less subjective an attribute than quality or scale and less likely to foster arguments. A figure is either realistic or is unrealistic. Glossy figures are collected by many people; but I do not believe anyone would call them realistc. Artistic yes, realistic not so much! Figures with ovesize weapons may have a certain charm; but they are not realistic. Realism is replication of reality. Toy Soldiers are reality in miniature. Collectors who have entered Toy Soldier collecting via model making, as have I seek the same level of accuracy and realism that is found in 1/35 scale models. Figarti stipulated that they made Military Miniatures rather than Toy Soldiers and that they aspired to accuracy and realism equivalent to 1/35 scale models. Figarti armor is highly regarded for their accuracy; both historical and technical. I consider their Panther G to be their best piece of armor and most realistic!
Click to expand...

This really hasn't worked out to well for Figarti. Are we on page three yet ?
 
I thought the General Matte Discussion thread was neutral ground as far as manufacturer partizanship! A yes or no answer would suffice to the question; is the Figarti Panther G a realistic model? No argument necessary.
 
I think this discussion is progressing quite nicely. I think that the demise of Figarti was a result of the Chinese ecconomy in no small part. Figarti also over extended itself in the area of aircraft. Figarti does armor well, in a down ecconomy stick with what you know and are good at.
 
Umm... has there been an official declaration that Figarti is dead? I do not think I have seen that.

Matt from Hobby Bunker said he will have some new Figarti items for sale at the Westcoaster. Not sure where the disconnect is.
 
Time will tell! What is being sold in China as Figarti is not real encouraging in terms of quality. Mostly poorly done repaints of past pieces. Sad!
 
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